FAYETTEVILLE — Where Fayetteville finished at last season’s Class 7A/6A state wrestling tournament is not so important to Bulldogs coach Steve Adair. But the experience Fayetteville brings back from last year’s team most certainly is.
The Bulldogs placed eight wrestlers in eight different divisions among the top point scoring positions at the state tournament last year. Of those eight Bulldogs, six return this season.
Most notable among the bunch is senior Austin Hubble, the NWA Media Big 6 Wrestler of the Year, who won the state’s 220-pound division while going undefeated.
“Hubble is definitely going to be big for us,” Adair said. “I’m real impressed with the way Hubble works, not only on the mat but also in the classroom.” Senior Bennett Bowen
finished runner-up at state in the 126 division last year and senior Alex Baysinger was a fourth-place finisher in the 120 division. Fayette- ville also returns seniors Sam Goll and Daulton Ensley, who placed in the 152 and 138 divisions at state, respectively, as well as junior Jay Branch who also scored fifth place in the 113 division. “I feel like we’re going to do even better this year,” Adair said. “I don’t think people realized how young of a team we were last year. So we’re excited about this year.”
Fayetteville finished eighth overall at state last season and fourth among 7A-West teams. But with so much returning on the mat, a push towards the top of the conference is the goal.
The Bulldogs will also count on some new faces this season. Adair expects juniors Ryan Humpheries, Darrell Hale and Garrett Bishop to contribute, along with sophomores Nolan Jackson and Dane Shields.
Seniors Trey Branch and Hunter Shelton also return for the Purple’Dogs.
Fayetteville opens the season Friday at the Jay, Okla. Tournament.
“We don’t always like having to go to Oklahoma for matches,” Adair said. “But it always seems like a good way to get our guys some good competition.”